Patents Examined by Daniel M. Keck
  • Patent number: 11691473
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to suspension assemblies for vehicles. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to secondary springs for suspension assemblies of vehicles. In some embodiments, a secondary spring can comprise a base, a tip, and one or more extension members positioned between the base and the tip that are configured to be removably coupled to the base and/or the tip to adjust a length of the secondary spring. In some embodiments a user can adjust the length of the secondary spring, so that the secondary spring is compatible with a given coil spring of the suspension assembly, by increasing or decreasing the number of extension members included in the secondary spring and/or by replacing one or more of the extension members with longer or shorter extension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Metal-tech Cage, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Hawley
  • Patent number: 11685213
    Abstract: A top mount assembly includes an insulator coupled to a vehicle body; an upper housing coupled to the insulator; a lower housing coupled to the upper housing; a bearing arranged between the upper housing and the lower housing; an inner seal member comprising a seal frame coupled to the upper end portion of the lower housing in a radially inward direction of the bearing, a seal base portion coupled to the seal frame and a plurality of inner seal lips. The seal frame includes a sleeve coupled to the upper end portion of the upper housing and a flange extending from an upper end of the sleeve in a radially outward direction. The seal base portion is coupled to the flange of the seal frame. The upper end of the inner seal lips is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner sidewall of the upper housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ILJIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young No Lim, Se Woong Jeong, Eui Mo Jung
  • Patent number: 11679736
    Abstract: Portable seatbelt systems, kits, and related methods of manufacture and use. A portable seatbelt system may be carried onto and temporarily or permanently installed to an automobile seat, and includes a back strap, a bottom strap, and a securement strap. The back strap may be secured to a backrest of the seat and the bottom strap may be secured to a bottom of the seat. A passenger may be seated in the seat and secured to the seat with the securement strap which attaches to the bottom strap. The securement strap secures the passenger in the seat and prevents the passenger from being ejected from the seat during a collision, a rollover, or another automobile incident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Toni Yvonne Lane
  • Patent number: 11667190
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a power transmission unit having a differential device for transmitting power to left and right axles and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power to the differential device, and a transmission shaft for transmitting power to the power transmission unit. The power transmission mechanism includes a first gear mechanism to which power from the transmission shaft is transmitted and a second gear mechanism for transmitting power from the first gear mechanism to the differential device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Hiroshi Takagi, Takashi Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 11654764
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device body (10) is provided that includes a first mounting member (11) mounted on one of a vibration-generating portion and a vibration-receiving portion via a bracket (2), a second mounting member (12) mounted on the other of the vibration-generating portion and the vibration-receiving portion, and an elastic body (13) connecting the first mounting member (11) and the second mounting member (12). The first mounting member (11) is fitted into a fitting hole (2a) formed in the bracket (2). A first guide portion (30) is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first mounting member (11). A second guide portion (20 is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole (2a). The first guide portion (30) is fitted into the second guide portion (2f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Prospira Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Matsumoto, Fumiaki Arie
  • Patent number: 11654963
    Abstract: A lightweight suspension upright or knuckle for a vehicle including a bearing connection interface arranged coaxial with the rolling bearing and including a first sleeve element and a second sleeve element arranged radially outside the first sleeve element and including a BMC/LFT/DLFT annular body that is sandwiched between a first and second shell elements, which are coupled together in a radially superimposed manner and which are preferably obtained in a semi-cured state as self-supporting elements, to be chemically and mechanically bonded together and with the BMC/LFT/DLFT annular body in a later stage during a step of forming a core (11) to fill either completely or partially an empty space (12) delimited between the first and second shell elements (8,9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Valentin Fleury, Marco Falossi, Remi Sarlin
  • Patent number: 11643138
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a steering axle assembly. In one example, a system may include a tapered pin coupled to a steering knuckle and to an axle beam end. A set of bushings may circumferentially surround the tapered pin and enable rotation of the steering knuckle around the tapered pin without lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Juliano Pansonatto
  • Patent number: 11634003
    Abstract: A sway bar system is described. The sway bar system includes a sway bar having a first end and a second end. An electronically controlled connector to provide a remotely controllable physical connection and disconnection capability between a first location on a vehicle and the first end of the sway bar; and the second end of the sway bar coupled to a second location on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Negishi, Rick Strickland, Philip Tsiaras, Andrew Peterson
  • Patent number: 11628701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a first leaf spring bracket having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis which is configured to be secured to a vehicle frame and which receives a rear end portion of a leaf spring so as to allow the leaf spring rear end portion to slide longitudinally relative to the first leaf spring bracket, characterized in that the first leaf spring bracket comprises an insert comprising an insert pad extending transversally and two perpendicular arms, the insert comprising a bottom surface and a top surface and being made of austempered ductile iron, and a bracket comprising a bracket pad extending transversally and two perpendicular arms, the bracket comprising a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface of the bracket pad being configured to receive the top surface of the insert, the bracket being made of spheroidal graphite cast iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Venkatachalam Ramasamy, Ramachandran Sandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11613179
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a first shaft provided to be rotatable around a first rotational axis of the hydraulic pump driven by the engine. A second shaft is rotatable about the first rotational axis to rotate the power take shaft. A clutch is rotatable about a second rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the first rotational axis and is vertically below the first rotational axis. The clutch has a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion arranged to face each other in the second rotational axis. A first rotating portion is connectable to and separable from the second rotating portion. The first rotation transmission mechanism is configured to transmit rotation of the first shaft to the first rotating portion. A second rotation transmission mechanism is configured to transmit rotation of the second rotating portion to the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Inaba, Ryota Kobayashi, Shunsuke Odashima
  • Patent number: 11613150
    Abstract: A suspension system in a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes, in one example, a hub carrier mounting structure and a hub carrier designed to couple to a wheel hub. The hub carrier mounting structure includes a mounting flange removably attached to the hub carrier and an upper case and a lower case coupled to a support beam, the upper and lower cases are coupled via a first set of attachment devices and a second set of attachment devices that are positioned on opposing sides of the upper and lower cases, where the first and second sets of attachment devices have varying vertical heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Dustin Brooks
  • Patent number: 11607921
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising a bushing with a center line L, having an inner sleeve with a mounting bore, an outer sleeve and an elastomeric spring member extending along a height H along the center line L. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the inner sleeve, the spring member and the inner surface of the outer sleeve are on each side of the center line L substantially parallel. On at least one side of the longitudinal center line L, the outer surface of the inner sleeve, the spring member and the inner surface of the outer sleeve extend at an angle to the center line L. An outer surface of the outer sleeve is substantially parallel to the center line L along the height H. Another embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprises a bushing with a mounting bore that extends at an angle to the center line L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tobias Brandin, Kenneth Ingemar Ekström, Jonas Klint, Jens Medbo, Albin Johnsson
  • Patent number: 11603021
    Abstract: Disclosed are a seat frame assembly and a method of manufacturing the same whereby adhesion of a reinforcing material attached to a seat frame is improved to secure rigidity of the seat frame and process speed is improved. According to one embodiment disclosed herein, seat frame assembly includes: a frame configured such that a portion of each of opposite sides is bent forward, and supporting an upper body of an occupant; and side members joined to the opposite sides of the frame, respectively, each of the side members including a groove formed in a surface being in close contact with the frame, wherein a portion of the frame that is surface-joined to each of the side members is provided with a protrusion inserted into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Daechang Seat Co., Ltd—Dongtan
    Inventors: Chan Ki Cho, Hyun Chul Woo, Kyoung Min Cho, Hun Yeong Jun
  • Patent number: 11602967
    Abstract: A suspension for a leaning vehicle having a central frame, the central frame having a first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Wagner
  • Patent number: 11597392
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to perform a tank turn. An example vehicle includes a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel located on an end of a first axle, the second wheel located on an end of a second axle, the end of the first axle opposite to the end of the second axle, a first suspension coupled to the first wheel, a second suspension coupled to the second wheel, and a controller to drive the first axle in a first direction, drive the second axle in a second direction, the first direction different from the second direction, and decrease a first suspension load of the first suspension and a second suspension load of the second suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 11591006
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having an impact absorption device for absorbing an impact force introduced via a steering wheel. The steering apparatus has a fastening device for fastening to a vehicle carrier or a vehicle body. The fastening device has a bracket for holding a steering column. The bracket has at least one connecting portion for connecting to the fastening device by a fastening element. At least one target breaking portion is designed to break starting from a predetermined impact force. In order to simplify the construction and/or to be able to realize production more economically, the bracket has and/or forms the target breaking portion, with the connecting portion being separated from the bracket after breaking the target breaking portion and remaining on the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Markus Lingemann
  • Patent number: 11584180
    Abstract: A strut bearing assembly for a vehicle includes: an insulator coupled to a vehicle body; a first case disposed to face the insulator; a second case rotatably coupled to the first case; a friction reduction unit disposed between the first case and the second case, and configured to reduce friction between the first case and the second case; and a coupling unit disposed in the insulator and the first case, melted by heat, and coupling the insulator and the first case to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD., ILJIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Soo Song, Byung Hwan Kim, Tae Ho Hong
  • Patent number: 11584189
    Abstract: A bush for vehicles and a method for assembling the same, may include an elastic body closely attached to an external surface of an internal structure, a bearing configured such that the elastic body is coupled to an internal surface of the bearing, a housing coupled to an external surface of the bearing to come into sliding contact with the bearing and mounted on a target object on which the housing is to be mounted, and seals mounted between both end portions of the bearing and both end portions of the housing to seal a sliding contact surface between the bearing and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11577568
    Abstract: A rotation induction device for a vehicle includes: an upper case member composed of a synthetic resin material and having a piston rod disposed therethrough; a lower case member composed of a synthetic resin material, disposed under the upper case member, and having the piston rod disposed therethrough; a center plate composed of a synthetic resin material, disposed between the upper and lower case members such that the piston rod passes through the center plate, and configured to induce either one or both of the upper and lower case members to rotate; and a stress distribution part formed on the center plate, and configured to distribute stress caused by a vertical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd., ILJIN Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Joon Choi, Jun Mo Kang, Byung Hwan Kim, Tae Ho Hong
  • Patent number: 11577575
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper with one end connected to the body of a vehicle and a second end connected to a suspension system of a vehicle. The mechanism allows for multiple hydraulic-fluid metering valve positions to control piston resistance based on a variable pressure input using pressurized gas. The use of compressed gas to mechanically control a valve position allows changes to the piston resistance to be made quickly and to be increased or decreased as desired. The hydraulic damper features a control piston which in turn mechanically controls a valve needle within a hydraulic suspension piston. The position of the valve needle controls the damping characteristics of the suspension piston. When the control piston moves, the position of the valve needle is proportionally adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: AFCO Performance Group, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Jeffrey Wilber